The fuels that power most of our economy offer a study of the chemical changes involved in combustion and the physical changes involved in refining crude oil. This chapter reinforces a perspective that the world is full of atoms and molecules, and that chemical changes involve taking atoms in one set of configurations and rearranging them into a new configuration. Nature has provided us with a mixed bag of molecules, which modern technology has learned to separate, and we are learning new ways to acquire the molecules that we burn for energy.
Prior Learning (from S8 Anchors):
S8.C.1.1 Explain concepts about the structure and properties (physical and chemical) of matter.
S8.C.1.1.1 Explain the differences among elements, compounds, and mixtures.
S8.C.1.1.2 Use characteristic physical or chemical properties to distinguish one substance from another (e.g., density, thermal expansion/contraction, freezing/melting points, streak test).
S8.C.1.1.3 Identify and describe reactants and products of simple chemical reactions.
S8.C.2.1 Describe energy sources, transfer of energy, or conversion of energy.
S8.C.2.1.1 Distinguish among forms of energy (e.g., electrical, mechanical, chemical, light, sound, nuclear) and sources of energy (i.e., renewable and nonrenewable energy)
S8.C.2.1.2 Explain how energy is transferred from one place to another through convection, conduction, or radiation.
S8.C.2.1.3 Describe how one form of energy (e.g., electrical, mechanical, chemical, light, sound, nuclear) can be converted into a different form of energy.
S8.C.2.2 Compare the environmental impact of different energy sources chosen to support human endeavors.
S8.C.2.2.1 Describe the Sun as the major source of energy that impacts the environment.
S8.C.2.2.2 Compare the time span of renewability for fossil fuels and the time span of renewability for alternative fuels.
S8.C.2.2.3 Describe the waste (i.e., kind and quantity) derived from the use of renewable and nonrenewable resources and their potential impact on the environment.
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to...
Describe energy changes in chemical reactions.
Distinguish between chemical and physical changes involved in fuel processing and consumption.
Explain the environmental impacts of energy use by various economic sectors (transportation, agriculture, petrochemicals).
Analyze fuel supply and demand trends and predict future developments.
Give examples of renewable and nonrenewable fuels and explain the environmental and economic advantages and disadvantages of their use.
Enduring Understandings
The fuels that power most of our economy offer a study of the chemical changes involved in combustion and the physical changes involved in refining crude oil. This chapter reinforces a perspective that the world is full of atoms and molecules, and that chemical changes involve taking atoms in one set of configurations and rearranging them into a new configuration. Nature has provided us with a mixed bag of molecules, which modern technology has learned to separate, and we are learning new ways to acquire the molecules that we burn for energy.Prior Learning (from S8 Anchors):
S8.C.1.1 Explain concepts about the structure and properties (physical and chemical) of matter.- S8.C.1.1.1 Explain the differences among elements, compounds, and mixtures.
- S8.C.1.1.2 Use characteristic physical or chemical properties to distinguish one substance from another (e.g., density, thermal expansion/contraction, freezing/melting points, streak test).
- S8.C.1.1.3 Identify and describe reactants and products of simple chemical reactions.
S8.C.2.1 Describe energy sources, transfer of energy, or conversion of energy.- S8.C.2.1.1 Distinguish among forms of energy (e.g., electrical, mechanical, chemical, light, sound, nuclear) and sources of energy (i.e., renewable and nonrenewable energy)
- S8.C.2.1.2 Explain how energy is transferred from one place to another through convection, conduction, or radiation.
- S8.C.2.1.3 Describe how one form of energy (e.g., electrical, mechanical, chemical, light, sound, nuclear) can be converted into a different form of energy.
S8.C.2.2 Compare the environmental impact of different energy sources chosen to support human endeavors.Learning Objectives: Students will be able to...
References to PDE Academic Standards, Anchors, and Eligible Content
Working Draft of Essential Learning Activities/Strategies/Technologies
Supplemental Resources:
Cox Lesson #1 Atoms & MoleculesCox Lesson #2 Chemical Fuels
Cox Lesson #3 Physical Changes
Cox Lesson #4 Chemical Changes
Cox Lesson #5 Fossil Fuel Resources
Cox Lesson #6 Renewable Resources
- Firefighting Technology
- Isomers of Alkanes
- Internal Combustion Engine
http://science.howstuffworks.com/oil-refining.htmhttp://www.howstuffworks.com/gasoline.htm
http://www.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/biodiesel.htm
http://www.ase.org/section/_audience/educators/lessons
Text: Science Spectrum CH 2.3 Chem vs. Physical Properties; CH 3 Periodic Table (various topics); Ch 4.1 compounds vs. mixtures;
Ch 4.4 Hydrocarbons; Ch 5.3 Balancing
Distillation, Combustion Apparatus
http://www.eia.doe.gov
http://www.fossil.energy.gov
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass
Online Molecule Simulations
Online Distillation Simulations
eMolecules.com Provides a drawing tool that results in a link to the formal name of the molecule, and a supplier.
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/ - I used this to introduce Atoms at the very beginning. Very helpful for students who don't understand exactly how small an atom really is. Some didn't even know if a cell was bigger or smaller than an atom.
Carbon Capture Video http://discovermagazine.com/brightcove?bcpid=370512060&bclid=533256427&bctid=1203064106
Instructional Objectives: Students will be able to...
Molecules, Diagrams, Formulas- draw diagrams and write molecular formulas of common molecules.
Chemical Properties of Fuels- identify common elements in common fuels.
- relate physical properties of common fuels to their molecular structure.
Fractional Distillation and Fuel Mixtures- distinguish between molecular compounds and mixtures of compounds.
- describe the process of fractional distillation.
Combustion of Hydrocarbons (Fire Triangle)- identify the three features involved in hydocarbon combustion.
- equate the atoms in the products of a combustion reaction with the atoms in the reactants.
Sources of Fuels (Renewable and Nonrenewable)